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Highway Patrol IDs drivers in tanker accident on Interstate 85

Published: Thursday, May 16, 2013 at 11:26 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, May 16, 2013 at 11:26 a.m.

The drivers in an accident between a vehicle and tanker truck that closed all lanes of Interstate 85 North in Thomasville near Exit 104 for about three hours Wednesday have been identified by the N.C. Highway Patrol.

Pam Kearns, a spokeswoman with the SHP in Lexington, said the driver of a 2002 Honda passenger vehicle was Nathan Godsey, 24, of Forestbook Drive, Charlotte, and the driver of a 2013 Freightliner was 56-year-old Lawrence Delaney of Johnsontown Road, Thomasville. Godsey was listed in fair condition at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem on Thursday morning, and Delaney had been released from Novant Health Thomasville Medical Center.

The accident involving the tanker truck that was carrying 8,100 gallons of ethanol occurred about 1:40 a.m. at Exit 104 between Randolph Street and Finch Farm Road.

Kearns said Godsey was traveling in the northbound left lane while the tanker was traveling in the center lane. The driver of the Freightliner, she said, noticed the Honda approaching rapidly and merging into the center lane. Kearns said the tanker driver merged into the right-hand lane as he attempted to avoid being struck by the Honda.

However, the Honda merged into the right-hand lane and struck the tanker in the rear, Kearns said. After impact, the tanker was driven to the right shoulder of I-85, and the Honda came to rest partially in the right-hand lane.

Troopers estimated Godsey's speed at impact was 80 miles per hour. The speed limit on I-85 where the accident occurred is 70 mph. Kearns said the Freightliner was traveling 60 mph.

Godsey was charged with careless and reckless driving and failure to wear a seat belt. Alcohol or impairment was not suspected by troopers.

No ethanol spilled from the tanker truck. The ethanol was transferred to another truck by an environmental company from Archdale, causing emergency crews to shut down I-85 North.

<p>The drivers in an accident between a vehicle and tanker truck that closed all lanes of Interstate 85 North in Thomasville near Exit 104 for about three hours Wednesday have been identified by the N.C. Highway Patrol.</p><p>Pam Kearns, a spokeswoman with the SHP in Lexington, said the driver of a 2002 Honda passenger vehicle was Nathan Godsey, 24, of Forestbook Drive, Charlotte, and the driver of a 2013 Freightliner was 56-year-old Lawrence Delaney of Johnsontown Road, Thomasville. Godsey was listed in fair condition at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem on Thursday morning, and Delaney had been released from Novant Health Thomasville Medical Center.</p><p>The accident involving the tanker truck that was carrying 8,100 gallons of ethanol occurred about 1:40 a.m. at Exit 104 between Randolph Street and Finch Farm Road. </p><p>Kearns said Godsey was traveling in the northbound left lane while the tanker was traveling in the center lane. The driver of the Freightliner, she said, noticed the Honda approaching rapidly and merging into the center lane. Kearns said the tanker driver merged into the right-hand lane as he attempted to avoid being struck by the Honda.</p><p>However, the Honda merged into the right-hand lane and struck the tanker in the rear, Kearns said. After impact, the tanker was driven to the right shoulder of I-85, and the Honda came to rest partially in the right-hand lane.</p><p>Troopers estimated Godsey's speed at impact was 80 miles per hour. The speed limit on I-85 where the accident occurred is 70 mph. Kearns said the Freightliner was traveling 60 mph.</p><p>Godsey was charged with careless and reckless driving and failure to wear a seat belt. Alcohol or impairment was not suspected by troopers.</p><p>No ethanol spilled from the tanker truck. The ethanol was transferred to another truck by an environmental company from Archdale, causing emergency crews to shut down I-85 North.</p>